The Murders on the Beach: Robert Domingos and Linda Edwards
It’s hard to imagine that friends and family members of those who are murdered ever feel a case is “cold.” They may feel the sting of loss each and every day, no matter how long it has been since their loved one passed.
Unfortunately, even the most impassioned investigators stumble upon roadblocks that prompt a case to remain unresolved for decades. That remains the case with the murders of Robert Domingos and Linda Edwards.
June 4, 1963, was Senior Ditch Day at Lompoc High School. Robert, 18 years old, and his 17-year-old fiancée, Linda, had plans to sunbathe at the beach, not far from Gaviota State Park. They also had plans to graduate in just a few days.
In their swimsuits, the couple spread a blanket out over the sand, not far from the water. At some point, perhaps after the couple was comfortably welcoming the warmth of the sun, somebody confronted them with a .22-caliber weapon, likely a rifle.
Most likely, the assailant asked Linda to tie Robert up, but he broke free. They started running away, but both were shot. Robert was shot 11 times, and Linda was shot nine times. Few details are known about exactly what happened at the scene.
The assailant dragged both Robert and Linda into a nearby shack. He cut Linda’s bathing suit open and…
